Don Roblin, a teacher at Marysville Public School, and Brenda Scarlett, the department head of Social Science at Bayridge Secondary School have been selected by Trustees of the Limestone District School Board as this year’s recipients of the J.C. McLeod Excellence in Teaching Award.
This ‘teacher-of- the-year’ award recognizes the outstanding contribution of individual teachers to classroom instruction or the improvement of classroom instruction, over a number of years. This award is presented to one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher on an annual basis.
Don Roblin is revered by his students, his colleagues and the Marysville community, and rightfully so. He exhibits all the traits of an exemplary elementary teacher.
Don is a careful and conscientious teacher and planner, making sure that curriculum is covered, but also that students are engaged in deep and meaningful learning. His joy in interpreting and sharing various concepts is evident in Don’s classroom every day. Don is particularity adept at delivering an integrated curriculum based on hands-on, authentic learning.
Most people know about the extra work Don does with building boats, paddles and taking big field trips in order to engage his students with their hands and their minds. He has high expectations of his students. As a result, they rise to meet the many challenges he had laid before them in class, and in the outdoor educational experiences he strives to make an integral part of their experience.
Don is a compassionate teacher teacher with a strong commitment to differentiated learning and to meeting the needs of all his students. He serves as a role model to all the students in the school as a beacon of kindness and caring.
Both students, and teachers alike, have learned from Don’s expertise and example, benefitted from his skill and support, and valued his positive, dedication contribution to Marysville Public School, and its community.
Brenda Scarlett is an incredible individual who has made significant contributions to our educational system and to the personal growth, well being and success of all students.
Ms. Scarlett is the ultimate professional who works tirelessly in the classroom, in student governance and school leadership, in a host of clubs and extracurricular activities, social issues and spirit events to ensure students receive the ultimate educational experience.
After graduating from Queen’s University in 1994 and teaching Mathematics and Social Sciences in several secondary schools, Brenda moved to Bayridge in 1998 as the Department Head of Social Science. Brenda is the ultimate role mode for her colleagues.
She has an impressive knowledge of the subject matter that supports her passionate delivery and commitment to life long learning. As Brenda states, “teaching is learning…and the more I learn, the better teacher I will be.” She ‘pays forward’ her knowledge by meeting regularly with department members and staff from across the board to share best practices, as well as supporting incoming teachers at Queen’s Faculty of Education and Geography programs.
Although an intense commitment to the classroom, Brenda has devoted an equal number of hours to extracurricular events and activities at Bayridge SS. She has been a coach for both volleyball and basketball. She has organized mat remediation programs, math challenges and competitions. However, three areas stand out as being the main focus of Brenda’s passion — student leadership, character education and social justice issues. Brenda helps students to see how they can make both a local and globe difference for others.
The J.C. McLeod Excellence in Teaching Award was named for Mr. J.C. (Colin) McLeod, who was the Director of Education for the former Lennox and Addington County Board of Education from 1969 to 1983.
He recognized and rewarded excellence in teaching throughout his time as director. Recipients receive an honorarium which is donated in their names to their schools for the purchase of resource materials and their names are included on a large plaque at the Limestone District School Board Education Centre, 220 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston.
This year’s recipients will be honoured by their respective schools during graduation ceremonies and Trustees will honour both recipients at their November 2010 Board meeting.
